The best fundraising ideas are inventive ones, ones that people are not sick of attending. Here are some new and some old ideas that might help your club or organization raise the necessary funds, be it booze or new books!

50/50 Raffle

The only cost to the club is amount it costs to purchase the raffle tickets. The tickets are sold through out the “meet and greet” portion of the event. The tickets normally sell for $1 a piece with an incentive for multiple purchases such as 3 tickets for $2, or 5 tickets for $4, etc. Using a price incentive for multiple tickets can often increase your total sales and builds a larger ‘pot’ to split with the lucky winner. The buyer receives one ticket and the organization keeps the duplicate of it. At a designated time during the night, all stubs are placed into a turner or hat and then one lucky ticket is drawn. The “take” is tallied and one half is given to the holder of that ticket, the recipient must be present to win. Winner’s usually prefer cash prizes, keep that in mind.

Car Wash

Obviously not a fundraiser for Northern states during the winter, smart ass. But a good idea no less. Preparation is key, first choose the date for the Wash and then choose a rain date. Recruit volunteers, pre-sell some tickets and designate certain people for certain duties; person in charge, publicity coordinator, location & site locater, supplies person, ticket sales captain, shift scheduler, post car wash person and environmental coordinator.

Next, do the necessary marketing – fliers, phones calls, newspaper and magazine listings, tell local retailers, etc. The day of the event, layout supplies, organizing washers, put out correct signage, donation/tip cans, offer snacks while the car owners wait and be sure that one person only is collecting the money. Lastly, after the wash, be sure to take responsibility and leave the venue how you found it. Send a letter of thanks to the person who allowed you to use the wash space.

Gift Wrapping

This is fun and useful, but only near Holidays. Be sure that you have a target audience no one is going to drive to a remote location to wrap a gift. Men are often the best customers for these types of things. They have no problem handing over a buck or two in exchange for 5 minutes less frustration in their life.

Contact local retailers and find out who is willing to allow you to set up shop in their territory. During Valentine’s day, contact chocolate shops and jewelers.

Host A Cooking Class

There are a few words of caution that go with this idea.

1.Be prepared with the necessary ingredients and kitchen tools
2.“Too many cooks in the kitchen” is cliché for good reason
3.Practice ahead of time
4.Each person should stick to their job

1.marketer – makes fliers, spreads the word, lists the event in papers, pre-sells tickets, finds host location
2.planner – recruits, finds an easy, suitable meal, deviates tasks
3.shopper – purchases ingredients
4.greeter – welcomes everyone that comes through the door
5.speaker – relays information to guests regarding what the cook is doing at any given moment
6.cook – prepares the meal
7.bartender – pours glasses of wine/water/soda for guests

This event can be a lot of fun, but be sure that the kitchen space is large enough to house everyone comfortably.

Dinner Theater

If you have an artsy group, this is the way to go. Market “Dinner and a Play” like crazy, stand on street corners, list it in a local events paper and pre-sell tickets. Pick a 30 minute to an hour play and practice for a few weeks, comedies usually go over well with any audience. Remember, the idea is to get people’s money, not alienate them.

The day of, prepare a large spaghetti dinner for the correct amount of guests attending and set up tables and chairs facing the “stage”. After all guests have arrived, have waiters dish out the meal and while they are settling, speak to the nature of your organization and goal. When guests all have their food, begin the play. Again, designate people to clean up.

Care Packages

Most parents still want to dote on their children, even after they ship off to college. Create options for care packages and then send order forms around to parents who can purchase their favorite. Be sure to get all information about the student receiving the package and the money ahead of time. Purchase basket items from wholesale stores such as B.J.’s or Sam’s Club because when you buy in bulk, you save money. Also, buy unisex and practical – go for cleaning supplies, school supplies, food that can be stored and personal hygiene items. Deliver care packages promptly and do not promise what you cannot deliver.

Poker Tournament

Vegas, baby! Choose a location that your club or organization can decorate like a Las Vegas Casino and then post fliers for a fundraising poker tournament. Send out invitations or pre-sell tickets. Be sure that the main payers are familiar with the rules of the game, and for the rest of the attendees, have extra tables for amateur games. The pot should be split between the winners and the club. Do not spend loads on décor or you will end up only breaking even. Offer drinks and snacks to guests, a live band is always fun as well and most unsigned local musicians will play for free.